Mike Coffman (b. March 19, 1955 in Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri) is a Republican member of the U.S. House representing Colorado's 6th congressional district. Coffman was first elected to the House in 2008.

Issues

Legislative actions

Fiscal Cliff

Coffman voted against the fiscal cliff compromise bill, which made permanent most of the Bush tax cuts originally passed in 2001 and 2003 while also raising tax rates on the highest income levels. He was 1 of 151 Republicans that voted against the bill. The bill was passed in the House by a 257 - 167 vote on January 1, 2013.[7]

113th Congress

The second session of the 113th Congress enacted into law 114 out of the 3,036 introduced bills (3.8 percent). Comparatively, the 112th Congress had 4.2 percent of introduced bills enacted into law in the second session.[8] For more information pertaining to Coffman's voting record in the 113th Congress, please see the below sections.[9]

National security

National Defense Authorization Act

Coffman voted for HR 1960 - the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2014. The bill passed the House on June 14, 2013, with a vote of 315 - 108. Both parties were somewhat divided on the vote.[10]

Department of Homeland Security Appropriations

Coffman voted for HR 2217 - the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act of 2014. The bill passed the House on June 6, 2013, with a vote of 245 - 182 that was largely along party lines.[11]

Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act

Coffman voted for HR 624 - the Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act. The bill passed the House on April 18, 2013, with a vote of 288 - 127. The bill would allow federal intelligence agencies to share cybersecurity intelligence and information with private entities and utilities. The bill was largely supported by Republicans but divided the Democratic Party.[12]

Economy

Government shutdown

Coffman will be donating his salary to the American Red Cross for Colorado Flood Relief while the government is on shutdown.[13]

Federal Statutory Pay Adjustment Elimination

Coffman voted for HR 273 - Eliminates the 2013 Statutory Pay Adjustment for Federal Employees. The bill passed the House on February 15, 2013, with a vote of 261 - 154. The bill would prevent a 0.5% pay increase for all federal workers from taking effect, saving the federal government $11 billion over 10 years.[14]

Immigration

Morton Memos Enforcement Prohibition

Coffman voted for House Amendment 136 - Prohibits the Enforcement of the Immigration Executive Order. The amendment was adopted by the House on June 6, 2013, with a vote of 224 - 201. The purpose of the amendment as stated on the official text is to "prohibit the use of funds to finalize, implement, administer, or enforce the Morton Memos." These memos would have granted administrative amnesty to certain illegal aliens residing in the United States.[15] The vote largely followed party lines.[16]

Healthcare

Health Care Reform Rules

Coffman voted for House Amendment 450 - Requires Congressional Approval for Any Rules Under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. The amendment was adopted by the House on August 2, 2013, with a vote of 227-185. The amendment requires that all changes to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act be approved by Congress before taking effect. The vote was largely along party lines.[17]

Social issues

Abortion

Coffman voted for HR 1797 - Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act. The resolution passed the House on June 18, 2013, with a vote of 228 - 196 that largely followed party lines. The purpose of the bill is to ban abortions that would take place 20 or more weeks after fertilization.[18]

Presidential preference

Redistricting

Under the new state congressional map approved in 2011, Coffman's 6th District became much more competitive. Under the old map the district had a Republican edge, while the new map is nearly even in Republican and Democratic voter registration numbers.[21]

According to the Washington Post, redistricting transformed the 6th district from a safe seat into a swing district. While the 6th formerly went safely for Coffman, the newly drawn district is a battleground for Republicans and Democrats fighting for control of the House.[22]

Campaign themes

2012

Excerpt: "The last four years have taught us what Coloradoans have known for a long time—more taxes, more government spending, and more regulations do not create jobs. It’s time we move away from these failed economic policies, and instead, move forward on a responsible course to give American businesses the certainty they need to create jobs and help get our economy back on track."

Federal Debt and Spending

Excerpt: "The greatest threat to our national security is our growing debt brought about by decades of out-of-control spending by both parties in Washington, D.C. Congress needs to pass a balanced budget amendment to the constitution and refer it to the states for ratification in order to strip the power away from Washington, D.C. politicians to continually spend money that we don’t have."

Reforming Congress

Excerpt: "The culture of Washington D.C. must change and to that Congress must repeal the system of automatic pay raises, abolish Congressional pensions, and pass a constitutional amendment, to be referred to the states, for mandatory term limits for every Member of Congress."

Healthcare

Excerpt: "Health insurance is far too expensive but mandated health insurance is not the answer."

National Security

Excerpt: "A key responsibility of the federal government is to defend our nation. Keeping the peace by maintaining a strong military is essential to deterring those who would wish to attack the United States. While funding for our military is always essential, we must work harder to cut wasteful defense spending."

Coffman is one of three vulnerable Republican members of the House, who represent substantially Hispanic districts, to be targeted by TV ads from Democratic Super PAC House Majority PAC. The ads provide a preview to Democratic plans to turn immigration into a key issue and brand Republicans as unwilling to embrace immigration reform.[25][26][27][28]

Full history

To view the full congressional electoral history for Mike Coffman, click [show] to expand the section.

2010

On November 2, 2010, Mike Coffman won re-election to the United States House. He defeated John Flerlage (D), Rob McNealy (L) and Michael Shawn Kearns (Write-in) in the general election.[31]

U.S. House, Colorado District 6 General Election, 2010

Party

Candidate

Vote %

Votes

Republican

Mike Coffmanincumbent

65.7%

217,368

Democratic

John Flerlage

31.5%

104,104

Libertarian

Rob McNealy

2.9%

9,466

Write-in

Michael Shawn Kearns

0%

5

Total Votes

330,943

2008

On November 4, 2008, Mike Coffman won election to the United States House. He defeated Hank Eng (D) in the general election.[32]

U.S. House, Colorado District 6 General Election, 2008

Party

Candidate

Vote %

Votes

Republican

Mike Coffman

60.7%

250,877

Democratic

Hank Eng

39.3%

162,639

Total Votes

413,516

Campaign donors

Comprehensive donor information for Coffman is available dating back to 2008. Based on available campaign finance records, Coffman raised a total of $5,813,461 during that time period. This information was last updated on March 22, 2013.[33]

2012

Breakdown of the source of Coffman's campaign funds before the 2012 election.

Coffman won re-election to the U.S. House in 2012. During that election cycle, Coffman's campaign committee raised a total of $3,441,282 and spent $3,838,136.[37] This is more than the average $1.5 million spent by House winners in 2012.[38]

Congressional staff salaries

The website Legistorm compiles staff salary information for members of Congress. Coffman paid his congressional staff a total of $967,311 in 2011. He ranked 22nd on the list of the highest paid Republican representative staff salaries and ranked 226th overall of the lowest paid representative staff salaries in 2011. Overall, Colorado ranked 14th in average salary for representative staff. The average U.S. House of Representatives congressional staff was paid $954,912.20 in fiscal year 2011.[42]

Net worth

2011

Based on congressional financial disclosure forms and calculations made available by OpenSecrets.org, Coffman's net worth as of 2011 was estimated between $450,006 and $1,050,000. That averages to $750,003, which is lower than the average net worth of Republican representatives in 2011 of $7,859,232. His average net worth decreased by 30.23% from 2010.[43]

2010

Based on congressional financial disclosure forms and calculations made available by OpenSecrets.org, Coffman's net worth as of 2010 was estimated between $400,007 and $1,749,998. That averages to $1,075,002.50, which is lower than the average net worth of Republican representatives in 2010 of $7,561,133.[44]